Cowboys & Cowgirls on Useppa
Pictures by UseppaGin
Once a year the POA throws a party and all ages revel in a night of island fun. Useppa members of the Property Owner’s Association, their families and houseguests celebrate being together at the Tarpon Bar. Thanks and a tip of a cowboy hat to the McColgans for organizing everything.
Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournament & Cody Davis
The Christmas Kids Izaak Walton Tournament was fun for all ages. Kids, parents, grandparents, and new friends were all part of the excitement on the Marina Dock. Lots of fish were caught and all were safely released. There were blue ribbons for everyone and prizes for some. But, this year’s event was especially memorable.
Long-time Useppa member and resident Cody Davis helped granddaughter Lorraine reel in a good-sized catch. He also helped a new young man catch his first Izaak Walton fish. It was the last time Cody could so. This kind-hearted man who helped so many learn to fish died a few days later of a heart attack.
There will always be holiday Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournaments, but there was only one Cody Davis.
He will be remembered by all of us.
Photos by UseppaGin
Useppa’s 2nd Annual Duathalon
By UseppaGin
Some swam. Some ran. Some did both in Useppa’s 2nd Annual Beach Duathalon.
Little kids, big kids and adults bantered and competed to the cheers of a raucous Island family crowd.
Team Winners were brother and sister Will and Josie Ervin
The Men’s Winner was Alex Bound
The Woman’s Winner was Maggie Bound
Another Useppa great time.
Pineapple Cottage is a three-bedroom cottage that has been upgraded and remodeled in a casual island atmosphere.
A private sundeck for sunning, a storage garage for all your toys, wood floors in the main living area,
and new appliances are just a few of it’s many features.
Pineapple Cottage is the northern most building in Useppa Village with breathtaking views. This is the only building in the Useppa Village with it’s own dock.
The Collier Inn, swimming pool, croquet court, fitness center, tennis courts, Joseffa’s Boutique and the Tarpon Bar
are just a few minutes walk away.
Pineapple Cottage is being offered furnished and ready to move in at $695,000 including half ownership of a private dock
Welcome to the finest home for sale on Useppa Island.
Rum Cove’s architect and builder, VIP Structures, set the benchmark for Useppa Island home construction and design in 2008 by erecting a select number of residences which embrace classic Old Florida tradition with innovative planning while utilizing the most modern and severe-storm-resistant materials available. Rum Cove transcends island-home engineering.
Constructed with the most resilient maintenance-light materials obtainable and guarded by impact windows and doors, Rum Cove is built to stand the test of weather and time while its style, design and elegance will prove timeless.
Rum Cove’s westerly waterfront view overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway and features sunset performances which vary in magnificence as seasons progress. It’s location, a mere 4 miles south of Boca Grande Pass leave the owner a short boat ride to premier fishing, shopping and golf on Gasparilla Island.
The price to make Rum Cove is $2,595,000 and includes a boat slip at a nearby dock only steps away.
Cody Davis:
Husband, Father, Grandfather & Island Steward
1959-2017
The Davis family had its place staked out on the dock for the last Izaak Walton Kids’ Fishing Tournament. Cody and granddaughter Lorraine were ready. Lorraine was a bit too small to hold the rod by herself, reel a fish in, but Granddad Cody helped. Fish after fish were caught, measured and released.
A new boy on the island about 12 or 13 almost angrily stalked up and down the dock. He didn’t know how to bait his hook. He didn’t know how to catch a fish, until Cody Davis saw him and offered to help. Family surrounded Lorraine. The boy was alone, his father still on their boat.
Cody talked to him, put an arm around his shoulder, walked him down to the cooler filled with bait, helped him put a shrimp on a new hook, cast a line, catch a fish.
Cody helped a child who needed help. Cody helped most of us during his years on Useppa.
Cody Davis was an Island steward working quietly in word and deed to make Useppa a better place. He and his wife Beth planted flowers with the Paradise Partnership. He spent hours working on the tennis courts, bought wind screens, painted, swept. He and Beth were weekend fixtures on the new bocce courts teaching novice players, challenging the old. He served on almost all Island boards sharing an attorney’s wise counsel and sound professional advice, mediating between different sides and opposing views.
Cody passionately loved his family. Pictures over the years show a man whose arms wrapped around Beth, his daughters Elizabeth, Mary Patten, Caroline and Cody Jr. and granddaughters Lorraine and Tamsyn. His smile was contagious. His eyes reflected mischief, good humor, and a generous heart. He loved his extended family. He loved his Useppa family.
Tim Fitzsimmons called Cody a community leader. He brought out the best in people because he could see the hearts behind our words. He never had an ego. He was competitive. A successful trial lawyer and athlete has to be, but like a good fisherman, he knew about subtlety, the necessary partnership between angler and catch. He knew about balance.
In the last Chronicle, Cody wrote:
“Raising a family on Useppa has been a true joy, and now, sharing those same memorable experiences with our granddaughters makes it all the more special. Thank you, Useppa. We look forward to many more adventures with our children and grandchildren here on Useppa, sharing the beauty and wonder of this extraordinary place in our world.”
Cody Davis died a few days ago, but he will always be here in spirit.
We, his Island family, will be here for the Davis family.
We will try to be for them who Cody was for that lost boy on the dock.
Memories by UseppaGin.
Carols, Shane’s Eggnog & Friendship: Christmas Eve at the Collier Inn
Photographs by Useppa Gin
Christmas Eve at the Collier Inn is an old Island tradition. Homeowners, Members, Guests, and Staff join together to celebrate. Our Useppa family includes everyone.
This year Steve Kaufman (Our “Twelve Days of Christmas” Conductor) welcomed an overflow crowd and made us all feel at home. Lynne Sipprelle and Harry Bound led our choir. The littlest ones sang “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” Pictures were taken round the tree, hugs were exchanged, and the only presents exchanged smiles.
It was Useppa at its best.
by UseppaGin
Can celebrating Christmas be any better than it is on Useppa Island?
Santa arrives by boat. Children on the Fire Truck wave hello as he walks down the Collier Dock with Fire Chief Frank and Laura. Santa climbs on the back of the truck for a quick ride up and down the beach. Then he talks and listens to all Useppa’s children. No one is rushed. Santa cares about kids and what they have to say.
After some cake and ice cream, Santa heads back to Pine Island where the reindeer await.
The real work of Christmas is about to begin
